Holding On

11.02.11

Have you ever had one of those moments when you’re hugging a loved one (a child, a spouse, a parent, a close friend, etc) and you suddenly have the strongest urge to never want to let go?

Totally happened to me last week when I was hugging Ty goodnight. Nothing out of the ordinary had happened that day, and the bedtime routine was same as any other, but when he wrapped his skinny little arms around my neck and squeezed something squeezed my heart too. I suddenly didn’t want to ever stop hugging that little guy and I started feeling all emotional.

Maybe it was Jennifer’s guest post last week that did it to me. Or maybe it was the fact that I’ve become increasingly aware of just how grown up my boys are becoming, and combine that with the crazy fast pace that Lily is growing and learning new skills at and I feel like I’m watching my children grow up all too quickly.

Or maybe it was a gentle God nudge to remember to cherish these moments I have with the people I love the most.

Getting all emotional during my hug with Mr. Ty made me realize something… Lily was 9 months old and we didn’t have a family picture! On top of that, I didn’t even have a picture of just my 4 kids and me. How the heck did I let that happen?! Nick wasn’t home, but I wasn’t going to let another day go by without at least capturing a picture of my 4 monkeys and me.

I found a spot in our yard, set my camera up on top of the boys’ picnic table, set the timer and bribed the boys with Wii time.

The picture isn’t one big smile-fest, but I adore the expressions on those little faces nonetheless. Next time we’re all home and someone is here visiting, my camera is going straight into their hands to take a family picture for us, immediately followed by one of Nick and me alone.

I have two tasks for you, and I want you to try to do them in the next week if possible….

1. Hug someone you love, and not just a short hug… a therapeutically long hug.

Jen -Great picture, Helen! And you’re right, it is all happening too fast.ReplyCancel

November 3, 2011 - 8:55 am

Jess G-I think my husband and I are pretty good about remembering to take photos together, but all I really want is a photo with my brother. He’s been deployed for 16 months, and I can’t wait for him to come home (on Tuesday!!). Maybe I can get that hug and photo all in one!ReplyCancel

November 3, 2011 - 9:09 am

Helen-That brought tears to my eyes, Jess! Hug him for all of us too and thank him for his service!!ReplyCancel

November 3, 2011 - 10:14 am

Courtney-I love this picture it so beautiful and I like that everyone is real in it! I usually am behind the camera but I started telling my husband to do it too because I need more of me with the girls because I want them to have them in the future.ReplyCancel